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American Morning

How Will 'Star Wars' Fare This Weekend?

Aired May 17, 2002 - 09:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Many of you, no doubt, will be checking out the latest chapter of the "Star Wars" saga this weekend, when "Episode II: Attack of the Clones" is on big screens nationwide, and while the box office blockbuster will be packing them in, "Star Wars" isn't the only movie opening this weekend. The film "About a Boy," starring Hugh Grant, will also be out there.

Now, while the producers who decide to compete with a megamovie like "Star Wars" might seem to have a cinematic death wish on their hands, but there is apparently a method to their madness.

And joining us now to talk more about the studio chess game, and to preview a big weekend at the box office, entertainment reporter Susan Campos.

How are you doing this morning?

SUSAN CAMPOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good thanks, Paula.

ZAHN: How do you think "Star Wars" will do? Do you think it will beat the "Spiderman" record?

CAMPOS: It doesn't look like it will beat the "Spiderman" record. It will break the $100 million mark, but it doesn't look like it will reach the three-day $114 million "Spiderman" record.

ZAHN: But this wouldn't be read as a huge disappointment. Anything that goes over $100 million is hugely successful.

CAMPOS: Still a fantastic opening, yes.

ZAHN: Now, what is the methodology about releasing "About a Boy" on a weekend when you know a film is going to gross probably about $100 million.

CAMPOS: Right, you're going up against an 800-pound gorilla. Every other studio scatters. All the other movies leave the area, but what they are doing here is counterprogramming, hoping that they will get women to go, and these completely two different movies. "About a Boy" is such an adorable movie, and Hugh Grant is wonderful. I love him it.

They don't think they're going to come in number one, or even number two; they just hope they stay out there, and that the movie has legs.

ZAHN: And potentially have more legs three weeks from now, when it's not dead up against the opening of a new movie.

CAMPOS: Right, and they don't have to do $100 million, because they can make money a lot -- "Star Wars" is a lot more expensive to make.

ZAHN: Now, there are some other big releases later this summer. "Triple X," and what's the other one?

CAMPOS: "Signs," the Mel Gibson vehicle. "Triple X" is Vin Diesel, and he is the new action star. August 2nd, both of them are slated to open. Originally, "Triple X" was going to open on July 26th. "Austin Power III" moved in there. They said forget, we're going to August 2nd. So the question everybody has is the game of chicken, who's going to move from that August 2nd date? Maybe they'll both be there. But the competition will be strong between these two films.

ZAHN: Now, Mel Gibson kind of got singed with the chess game before, right, "Patriots Game" two years ago came out the same time as "The Perfect Storm," and everything thought he would outperform "The Perfect Storm."

CAMPOS: Everybody said "The Perfect Storm" should move -- move, move, move off this date. But "The Perfect Storm" stayed there. They washed away "The Patriot." And so Mel Gibson lost that weekend.

ZAHN: And this Christmas, I understand, there is going to be a big war of the cinematic.

CAMPOS: "Catch Me If You Can," Steven Spielberg's movie, and then you have "Gangs of New York," Martin Scorcese's movie. Both have Leonardo DiCaprio. They are both saying they are going to open in December. This just can't happen. Somebody has to move. If I had to bet, I'd say "Gangs of New York" will have to move.

ZAHN: We will hold you to that prediction come December, Susan. Have a good weekend. Enjoy the movies. Susan Campos, with the prediction on how the latest "Star Wars" movie might fare over the weekend.

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